NHL Power Rankings: The 25 Greatest Hockey Announcers of All Time

The game of hockey is a game of rich tradition and some of that tradition is echoed through the voices of many of the the game's great commentators.

Whether it's the sound of their voice, their interesting catch phrases or their insights into the game, the play-by-play and color commentators of the NHL help to make the NHL a Made-for-TV event each night.

There have been some very good announcers, but there have also been some very bad ones as well. In this slideshow, we will look at the best 25 in recent memory. I caution readers, I'm still what you would call young, so I may miss an old play-by-play guy or two.

Hope you enjoy reliving some of hockey history as we take a trip down memory lane.

22. Jim Robson: Vancouver Canucks Broadcaster

That is the moment that most Canucks fans will remember the most when referring to Jim Robson. This call was made after Trevor Linden got cranked in open ice by a Ranger player during the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals.

12. Jim Hughson: Hockey Night in Canada

11. Joe Bowen: Toronto Maple Leafs Broadcasts/Leafs TV

"Holy Mackinaw!" and his obvious catch phrases for the netminders of the hemp huts gets him a spot in my top 13. I've grown up listening to the calls of Joe Bowen and while extremely one-sided, his voice is still one of the best in the game today.

10. Chris Cuthbert: CBC/NHL on TSN/CTV 2010 Olympics Coverage

The voice that many heard when Sidney Crosby won it for the Canadians, Chris Cuthbert is emerging as one of the very best in the game today. After moving from the CBC to the NHL on TSN, Cuthbert has seen his career skyrocket.

9. Pat Foley: Chicago Blackhawks Broadcaster

Who can forget this epic call. The enjoyment he got out of the Pat Kane goal was memorable, and so was his awkward high pitched "Hawks Win!" that sounded like a pre-pubiscent teenage boy having his voice crack.

7. Fred Cusick: Boston Bruins

His memorable calls of goals by Bobby Orr are all-time favorites of mine, and I truly believe he's one of the forgotten masters of his craft and doesn't get a lot of attention for what he's done for hockey in Boston.

4. Dan Kelly: St. Louis Blues Broadcaster

The call of the Bobby Orr flying through the air goal is probably the most recognizable call by a commentator that is not calling the game for that team. Dan Kelly is a legend and his voice was one of the best around.

2. Danny Gallivan: Montreal Canadiens English Broadcaster

The second best commentator of all time goes to this man, Danny Gallivan. There are many other play-by-plays out there with Gallivan in them. This one is a short one, but search YouTube and you'll find others.

1. Foster Hewitt: Toronto Maple Leafs Legendary Broadcaster

An innovator and the best voice in all of hockey. Foster Hewitt is a legend. He got started in other sports such as football, but eventually he would make his mark on radio and television with the Leafs.